FORMER Minister of Petroleum, Prof Tam David-West has come down heavily on anti-Buhari protesters for organizing a demonstration that nearly resulted in a breakdown of law and order in the nation's capital city of Abuja.
Speaking on the activities of Nigerian singer Charles Oputa alias Charlyboy, the Convener of the #ResumeOrResign protest, he said Charlyboy missed the target although the cause for the demonstration was just he carried out the protest in the wrong place that led to a clash with pro-Buhari supporters.
Recall, Charlyboy and his supporters had marched to Wuse Market in Abuja but were stopped by pro-Buhari supporters that resulted in a fracas. A situation dangerously close to anarchy and total breakdown of law and order was only averted by the prompt intervention of anti-riot policemen.
Speaking in a chat David-West faulted this and gave three conditions for a demonstration to thrive and succeed.
He said: '' I know Charly Boy very well. His father, Justice Oputa was my principal. He knows very well that I was close to his father. When his father launched a book in Lagos, he invited me and I went. I respect Justice Oputa. But what Charly Boy has done, if his father was alive, he would caution him, if he would obey him.
It’s their right to demonstrate but a demonstration must fulfill three conditions. First, there must be a good cause to demonstrate. Two, majority of the people must support the demonstration. Three, you must have a target.
I believe the protesters have a good cause to be concerned that their president has been away for long. I respect their concern. Many people share that concern. But if that concern goes to the street for demonstration, you have to be sure that you will have a mammoth crowd of supporters. So, as much I respect their cause, I think the demonstration was over-dramatized.
You can correct me, but you cannot organize a public protest without police clearance. It’s only an irresponsible Inspector General of Police that will stop you from satiating your fundamental human rights. You have a right in the constitution to demonstrate, he cannot stop you. He has no power to stop you. He will give you permit to demonstrate if you promise there will be no violence.
But now, the security guards that prevented the protesters from entering Wuse Market, I can say were right or wrong. They were wrong in the sense that you cannot stop them from demonstrating, if they have satisfied the conditions for demonstration. If the protesters did not have police permit, that demonstration is illegal. Then, the action of the security guards was right.
If you are doing something, prepare your groundwork before you spoil your case. Anybody can demonstrate against Buhari’s absence, but do the right thing. The police cannot stop you and if they do, go to court. The court can overrule them. But if you don’t do the right thing, you can spoil a good cause.
I was also told that pro-Buhari group would confront them. There is no reason for that.
I was also told that pro-Buhari group would confront them. There is no reason for that.
When Buhari was campaigning to be president, where were those calling themselves pro-Buhari? Where were they when Buhari contested and lost presidential elections before 2015? I don’t think there is any pro-Buhari group that would go and confront them. I know Buhari will never support any confrontation between the so-called pro-Buhari and the anti-Bihar elements. If pro-Buhari elements would demonstrate and they don’t have police permit, the demonstration would be illegal. You don’t solve an illegality with another illegality.''
Still speaking on target, he opined that Charlyboy and his anti-Buhari protesters should have gone to the National Assembly and not Wuse Market as he did.
In his words: ''I completely agree with that. We are a nation bound by law. I mentioned target as one of the three conditions that must be fulfilled for any demonstration to take place. Their target is not Wuse Market or the National Stadium; it’s the National Assembly. They have failed there. The three conditions must be fulfilled completely. So, they chased a wrong target.''
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